4 killed in Salem cracker factory blast

Four workers were killed and two others seriously injured in an explosion at a firecracker unit in Elama Coundanur village in Omalur taluk here on Tuesday evening.

The victims were identified as Raja, Ajithkumar, Priya and Vellachi. Alamelu and Kavitha were admitted to Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital. Their condition is said to be unstable.

The police said that six workers were involved in packing country-made firecrackers that were mainly used in temple festivals. An explosion occurred in which all the six suffered injuries. While Raja, unit owner Manikandan’s wife Priya, and Vellachi died on the spot, Ajithkumar died at the hospital.

Revenue officials, who inspected the spot, said the cause of the explosion was yet to be known.

Officials are investigating whether the unit had a licence and if all safety measures were in place. The Tharamangalam police are investigating.